The Macomb Board of Education unanimously approved a $12.6 million property tax levy this week.

The levy equals a tax rate of $5.80 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation.

In another matter related to property taxes, the board on Monday adopted a resolution authorizing the filing of a request to intervene in a pending assessment appeal with the McDonough County Board.

According to Superintendent Patrick Twomey, Western Grain Marketing LLC filed an appeal of their 2013 equalized assessment valuation, which totals $3.42 million, and have asked for it be reduced by $1.8 million.

Western Grain Marketing LLC operates the Adair Rail Shuttle at the intersection of Illinois Route 41 and U.S. Route 136, as well as 12 grain elevators around the region. Western Grain's home office is based in Rushville and a branch office is located in Ipava.

According to McDonough County Assessor Tammy Camp, the Adair Rail Shuttle is located on 146 acres of McDonough County property and is the only location referred to Western Grain's appeal.

She also said appeals on a property's assessment are common, but it's unusual to see one the size of Western Grain's.

Twomey said the request to intervene filing was to ensure he was present at the formal assessment appeal hearing, which was held Tuesday, on behalf of the school district.

The superintendent said if Western Grain's appeal is successful, it could mean a loss in excess of $100,000 in property tax revenue for the school district.

"This particular one got my attention because it's so large," he said of the appeal. "I felt like I should be there to ensure that the appropriate process had been followed, in terms of evidence provided that would demonstrate they had documentation for an appeal."

Twomey said he's uncertain when the McDonough County Board of Review — a three-person panel appointed by the county board — will make a decision on Western Grain's appeal.

The McDonough County Board can either grant the appeal, grant a lesser amount or deny it.

If Western Grain is granted the appeal, there is nothing further the school district can do, according to Twomey.

Terry Rouse, general manager at the Rushville office, said he was aware of the appeal but declined to comment further.

Western Grain has filed at least one other previous assessment appeal, including one in 2010 for $2 million that was successful.